District 5690 - Ambassadorial Scholar - Evan Graber 2009-10 Scholar

Evan Graber is the Rotary District 5690 Ambassadorial Scholar and a lifelong Kansas resident. He was sponsored by the Rotary Club of El Dorado, KS. He is a recent graduate of John Brown University in Siloam Springs, AR where he received his B.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies. He was recently placed by the Rotary Foundation to study at the University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland. He will begin classes at New College, the theological college at the university, in September of 2009where he will be pursuing a Th.M. in historical theology.

Follow Evan's blog at rotarytrip.wordpress.com

Part of the preparation process involved attending Orientation. His report follows:

March 13, 2009

I wanted to give the district an update on my progress in preparing for my year as an ambassadorial scholar. I went to Kansas City this weekend to attend the Mid America LINK orientation seminar. This seminar is meant to prepare outgoing scholars for some of the things they might expect encounter on their year abroad. The Seminar was put on by a wonderful array of both Foundation staff and Scholar Alumni. Presenters included Ray Klinginsmith, the President-Elect of Rotary International, and Lily Wu, the 2007-2008 scholar from district 5690.

This was a very informative and encouraging event. It was informative, because of all of the advice experience that was shared. It was encouraging, because I was able to see the profound impact that the 40 other Cultural, Ambassadorial, and Teacher Grant recipients would be making around the world.

On the last night, we were asked to present a two-minute speech on 'How we were going to change the world.' I told the other scholars and the Rotarians present that I envied the other scholars, because many of them have very concrete ways they will change the world. Many are going to be doctors, work in community development, and tackle world health and environmental issues. I on the other hand will be pursuing an academic degree in Theology, so my means of changing the world would be a bit more abstract. As I thought about how to answer this question, I was reminded of the four way test. The first part of that test is the question 'Is it true?'

It was with this question, that I truly began to realize the way that I fit into the mission and vision of Rotary. I have committed my life to the pursuit of Truth. I am not merely seeking knowledge and information; I am seeking Truth. I may never be able to change the world, but Truth will change the world. With truth, violence and oppression cannot be tolerated. With truth, our own justifications will not stand. It is through Truth that the world will be changed, so I seek to change the world by seeking Truth at any cost.

I want to thank you and the district for your incredible support of me as your ambassador. I want to thank you for providing a way for me to continue my lifelong pursuit of Truth. I will always come to Rotary District 5690 with great gratitude and deep indebtedness.

Best Regards,

Evan Graber